Moshoeshoe I

Moshoeshoe (1786?-1870) was born at Menkhoaneng in the Northern part of present-day Lesotho. He was the first son of Mokhachane, a minor chief of the Bakoteli lineage- a branch of the Koena (crocodile) clan. In his early childhood, he helped his father gain power over some other smaller clans. At the age of 34 Moshoeshoe formed his own clan and became a chief. He and his followers settled at the Butha-Buthe Mountain.

Diplomat

The most significant role Moshoeshoe played as a diplomat was his acts of friendship towards his beaten enemies. He provided land and protection to various people and this strengthened the growing Basotho nation. His influence and followers grew with the integration of a number of refugees and victims of the wars of calamity.

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By the latter part of the 1800s, Moshoeshoe established the nation of the Basotho, in Basutoland. He was popularly known as Morena e Moholo/morena oa Basotho (Great chief/king of the Basotho).

Related Topics:
1800s - Basotho - Basutoland

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The arrival of the Dutch in the Cape Colony brought guns as well, and Moshoeshoe determined that he needed these and a white advisor. From other tribes, he heard of the benefits missionaries brought. He negotiated with the Paris Evangelical Mission Society, choosing them from a nation which was not trying to conquer South Africa. Three representatives of the Society arrived: Eugene Casalis, Constant Gosselin and Thomas Arbousset.

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From 1837 to 1855 Casalis played the role of Moshoeshoe's Foreign Minister. With his knowledge of the non-African world, he was able to inform and advise the king in his dealings with hostile foreigners. He also served as an interpreter for Moshoeshoe in his dealings with white people, and documented the Sesotho language.

Related Topics:
1837 - 1855 - Sesotho language

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In the late 1830s, Boer trekkers from the Cape Colony showed up on the western borders of Basutoland and subsequently claimed land rights.

Related Topics:
1830s - Boer - Cape Colony - Basutoland

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The trekkers' pioneer in this area was Jan de Winnaar, who settled in the Matlakeng area in May-June 1838. As more farmers were moving into the area they tried to colonise the land between the two rivers, even north of the Caledon, claiming that it had been abandoned by the Sotho people.

Related Topics:
Jan de Winnaar - 1838 - Caledon

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Moshoeshoe, when hearing of the trekker settlement above the junction, stated that "... the ground on which they were belonged to me, but I had no objections to their flocks grazing there until such time as they were able to proceed further; on condition, however, that they remained in peace with my people and recognised my authority."

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Eugene Casalis later remarked that the trekkers had humbly asked for temporary rights while they were still few in number, but that when they felt "strong enough to throw off the mask" they went back on their initial intention.

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The next 30 years were marked by conflicts.

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